Latest from Android Central

With Google I/O canceled, a debut at the June Android 11 launch makes a bit of sense.What you need to knowThe Pixel 4a will most likely launch in early June.It was previously thought to launch in May, coinciding with Google I/O.The cancellation of Google I/O and the June 3rd Android 11 public beta launch means a June launch of the phone was already more likely.We've seen renders, specs, live photos, packaging, and even a full camera review. The only thing missing is the actual phone. Earlier rumors indicated that it would be arriving soon, with a mid-May launch followed by a late May shipping date, but those have now changed. Tech blog Caschys (via Android Police) which earlier reported a shipping date of May 22nd as per Vodafone Germany's systems now report an altered June 5th shipping date for the Pixel 4a from the same source. In other words, Vodafone's first Pixel 4a shipments will now be delayed by about two weeks.While there's no official reason given for the date c...

It could take a few weeks for the update to become widely available.What you need to knowMotorola has started updating the Moto G7 and Moto G7 Power phones to Android 10.The update brings new gesture navigation, a system-wide dark mode, privacy and security enhancements, smart replies, as well as easier Wi-Fi sharing. It is being rolled out in stages. In January this year, Motorola released the stable Android 10 update for the Moto G7 Plus. Nearly five months later, the Lenovo-owned company has finally started rolling out (via PhoneArena) the Android 10 update for the standard Moto G7.As per the official Motorola update tracker page, the Android 10 update for the Moto G7 began rolling out on May 7. The update is being rolled out in batches, and is expected to hit all Moto G7 units in the country by June 7. In the coming weeks, however, the update will likely expand to a few other markets as well.As per some users on Reddit, the stable Android 10 update is now available ...

Face mask or no face mask? Despite the conflicting information on how face coverings work against coronavirus, doing all you can to stay protected shouldn't be a debate. Unfortunately, finding masks in stock is a different problem altogether. Luckily, we know where to look.Most people touch their face over 20 times per hour on average, and when you're running to the grocery store or another public space, having a mask on is a physical reminder not to do so. Wearing a face mask is one of the best ways to look out for yourself at this point — other than social distancing, washing your hands often, and staying at home.The CDC has changed its guidance to recommend that all citizens should only go out when wearing some sort of face mask, non-medical preferred. As medical masks are in short supply around the world, it's important to leave these essential supplies for healthcare workers who need them immediately.Where to find face masks in stockThe BestFOCO: shop face masksSho...

The Price is Right is headed to primetime once again. Last December, the show aired two specials dubbed The Price is Right at Night, and now the late-night version of one of America's favorite game shows is back. While previous specials starred celebrity guests like Seth Rogan and the cast from the CBS action drama SEAL, the latest episode of The Price is Right at Night is set to feature RuPaul of Drag Race fame.The Price is Right is currently airing new episodes every weekday at 11 a.m. EST on CBS, but you'll have to tune in quite a bit later than usual if you want to watch the latest special when it airs live. Our guide below will take you through everything you need to know so you don't miss the show.The Price is Right at Night: When & whereThe Price is Right at Night is set to air its newest special on CBS this Monday, May 11 at 8 p.m. EST. This episode was shot several weeks ago before production was shut down on the show and will feature RuPaul from RuPaul's Drag Race...

The Ecobee Smart Thermostat with voice control and room sensor is down to $199.99 at Best Buy. The same thermostat is $250 at other retailers like Home Depot and B&H. This price matches one we see occasionally, but the last time it dropped this low was a few weeks ago.This is one of Android Central's favorite smart thermostats, and we even consider it the best one overall if you're using the Amazon Alexa smart home ecosystem. It's certainly worth the purchase at $50 off.We love the Ecobee 4 and have written about it many times. Despite the name not continuing the numbers, this version on sale today could be considered the Ecobee 5. The SmartThermostat features a whole new design with a glass finish, a vivid touch display, a quad-core processor, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and far-field voice recognition that can pick up your commands from across the room.The smart sensor that comes with it can be used to monitor the temperature in a specific room, giving you more accurate c...

Google's cranking Android up to 11.Last year's Android 10 update was a big shift for the operating system. Not only did we get the long-awaited dark mode and important changes to app permissions, Android 10 also marked Google's departure from dessert names and ushered in a new Android logo/brand.Android 10 was a year of growth and maturity for the operating system, and those same principles are being carried over to Android 11. We're still a few months out from the final build being available for everyone, but with a developer preview now out in the wild, we have a good idea of where Google wants to take Android in 2020.Ready to learn all about what Android 11 is packing? Here's everything you need to know!Developer Preview 4 is outTons of messaging improvementsPermissions keep getting betterWe have a built-in screen recorderAdapting Android to different displays5G is a big focusYou can flash it right nowThe final build is coming in Q3The Pixel 4 is first-in-line f...

A field test at Mount Sinai in New York is the first outing of this project.What you need to knowGoogle is working on providing 10, 000 Nest Cams to healthcare providers amid the COVID-19 crisis.The first provider to take advantage of this is Mount Sinai.Google says these Nest Cams are HIPAA compliant and will help save in PPE costs. Google is planning to provide up to 10, 000 Nest Cams to healthcare providers to aid the current response to the COVID-19 pandemic.With these Nest Cams, nurses and doctors will be able to check in on patients, supplementing in-person checks. This means there will be a reduction of physical contact, and therefore less of a need for personal protection equipment (PPE), which has fast become a scare resource.Robbie Freeman, a registered nurse at Mount Sinai explained on Monday: Starting this week, we began installing two Nest Cameras in more than a hundred rooms being used to help Coronavirus patients⁠—in most rooms one will be used to...

Keep your $1000 ultrabooks and give me more couch companions like these.The Lenovo Chromebook Duet debuted at CES, and it looked like the most promising Chromebook of the year, even before 2020 went completely sideways. This is the first non-education Chrome OS tablet we've seen since the premium and problem-plagued Pixel Slate launched two years ago, and while this isn't a powerhouse by any means, the Duet still has a better chance at success because it's learned from the Slate's mistakes. Most importantly, it learned you don't sell a Chromebook tablet without a keyboard in the box, what were you thinking, Google?!Fun and functionalLenovo Chromebook Duet$300 at Best BuyFrom $279 at LenovoGet Chrome OS in a couch-friendly form.With the latest tablet features from Chrome OS and a full bundle out of the box with the cover and keyboard, Lenovo is offering up the most promising Chromebook tablet we've seen so far. Whether you need to bang out some emails or just want to ...

Best answer: No, Visible only supports the Verizon LTE network. Luckily, Verizon's LTE network provides fast speeds and great coverage, meaning most people will have plenty of speed even on LTE.Unlimited data on the Verizon network: Visible ($40 per month at Visible)Early Access MVNO Verizon 5G: US Mobile ($100 for three months at US Mobile)Unlocked LTE with pure Android: Google Pixel 3a ($400 at Best Buy)Committed to LTEVisible was one of the first carriers to ditch 3G and analog connections for all of its phones. All Visible phones and plans use LTE for data, calling, and texts. With this setup, it seems like Visible would be primed to be one of the first carriers to hit 5G but the main drawback is the Verizon network. AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile have all built 5G networks either fully or partially on lower, LTE-like, sub-6 bands. This means they offer similar coverage to that seen on 4G LTE.Verizon has yet to build any sub-6 5G and has been fully committed to buildi...

Here's the lowdown on Samsung's newest Note.Every year, there are certain phones we just can't help but get excited about — one of which is the Galaxy Note. From the first Note that debuted in 2011 up to last year's Note 10, Samsung's stylus-equipped flagships are regularly some of the most interesting to hit the market.Samsung revamped its naming convention this year with the Galaxy S lineup, going from the S10 to the S20. We're expecting something similar for the Note lineup, meaning 2020 will see the launch of the Galaxy Note 20.From the latest specs, leaked renders, pricing rumors, and more, here's everything you need to know!We're expecting at least two modelsThe design is a mysterySpecs? Here's what we knowLook forward to an August releaseLet's discuss pricingDon't overlook the Note 10Today's NoteGalaxy Note 10+From $1,100 at Samsung$1,100 at Best BuyPlenty of specs and features for years to comeWhile we are excited to see what Samsung has to...

Samsung's 10th year of Galaxy flagships is something to behold.Every year, Samsung kicks off the year with its Galaxy S devices. These serve as a showcase of the very best that the company has to offer, and in 2019, we were treated to a total of three new devices with the Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e.Whether you're looking for the latest news, want to know how the phones compare to other gadgets, need help finding a good case, or anything else in between, you're in the right place.First, start with the reviewThere are three phones this yearOne UI 2.1 is rolling out nowShould you upgrade from an older Galaxy?Let's compare the S10 to other phonesIf it's specs you need...There was a 5G version, tooThere are some amazing colorsHow much do they cost?Get the accessories you need for your Galaxy S10Don't forget about the Galaxy S10 LiteThe Galaxy S20 is hereGet More Galaxy S10Samsung Galaxy S10 ...

If you're searching for a way to improve your home entertainment setup, Woot's having a one-day sale on ViewSonic Home Theater Projectors that you should take a look today. With prices starting as low as $144.99, this sale offers some very affordable options as well as pricier, more advanced models.Each projector in today's sale is factory reconditioned, which means ViewSonic has inspected, tested, and renewed each model where necessary to bring them all back to Like-New condition. They even come with a 90-day ViewSonic warranty. Some models have already sold out this morning, so don't delay on completing the purchase if you're interested!ViewSonic's PJD6352LS-R XGA HDMI Short Throw Projector is one of the most affordable models in today's sale, now down to $349.99. It features 3,500 Lumens, native XGA 1024 x 768 resolution, and a user-friendly design that's easy to navigate. On the other hand, models like ViewSonic PRO10100 XGA 3D DLP Home Theater Projector are featured in the s...

I want to love Moto phones, but something's gotta give.Motorola will always have a soft spot in my nerdy heart. It's a company that's been fundamental for consumer technology, creating the world's first true cell phone back in 1983 and continuing to exist in the mobile tech space all these years later. In regards to Android, specifically, I think back to the days of the Moto X in 2013 and 2014 and how much dang fun those phones were.The Motorola we know today under Lenovo ownership is clearly a lot different from the ghost of Motorola's past, but even so, there's no denying that the company still has what it takes to create damn good products. Whether it be low-cost phones like the Moto G series or the company's recent return to flagships with the Motorola Edge+, Motorola consistently delivers really good handsets no matter how you slice them.That's why the company's dumbfounding software update policy is so enraging.If you go out and buy a Motorola phone right now, you're gu...

Just like last year, Samsung may launch only two flagship Note phones in 2020.What you need to knowA new rumor suggests the Galaxy Note 20 series will only have two models – Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Plus.Unlike the Galaxy S20 series, Samsung will apparently not launch a "Note 20 Ultra." The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series is expected to be unveiled in August. The Galaxy S20 Ultra is the most expensive phone in the Galaxy S20 series lineup, boasting a 108MP primary camera and a few other upgrades over the standard and Plus models. Despite its steep pricing, some reports have suggested that it is actually more popular than the other two Galaxy S20 models in several markets. According to a new rumor (via Android Authority), however, Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Note 20 series will not have an "Ultra" model.Ross Young, CEO and founder of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), has claimed in a new tweet that there will be no Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Instead, Samsung will only la...

One of Newegg's Shell Shocker deals includes the Jabra Elite 75t true wireless earbuds on sale for $99.99 refurbished directly from the Jabra Online Store. Shell Shocker deals expire at the end of the day, and considering how rare deals on the 75t are, these might just sell out. Jabra covers the refurbs with a 180-day warranty.Read our review of the Elite 75t from a few months ago. Daniel Bader gave them 4.5 stars out of 5 and a "The Best" badge. He said, "The Jabra Elite 75t are excellent true wireless earbuds that do everything really well. They're small, comfortable, and sound great, and have fantastic and useful features like auto play/pause. Battery life has been bumped over the Elite 65t, too, despite getting smaller, and Jabra's app is just as useful as ever."While these earbuds are missing active noise-cancelation technology, and that's the reason they are missing half a star in our review, they do have some noise canceling tech in the mics. The earbuds actually have four...

Let's chat with the AC forums.New Android phones are fun and exciting, but not everyone needs to have the latest and greatest. While they can be a lot of fun to talk and write about, putting up the money to buy one is a different story.Recently, one of our AC forum members said that they currently have a Galaxy S8+ and are looking to upgrade. However, they're torn between whether to get the new S20+ or last year's S10+.Here's how some of our other members responded. the_boon 05-08-2020 08:23 AM “ I personally would definitely go for the S10+ and save alot of money. If you have to ask if you need 5G, then you probably don't really need it. I think the vast majority of consumers don't need it now, and probably won't for quite some time. Reply jtfwTX 05-08-2020 08:27 AM “ save the money. wa...

While live sports have been cancelled in pretty much all forms during the current health crisis, that doesn't mean you can't show your team colors. If you're looking for a way to display your team pride in these unprecedented times, what better way than a FOCO face mask with your team's logo emblazoned on it?Team colorsFOCO Face MasksWith officially-licensed NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB face masks and gaiter scarves, you can keep your face covered when out and about while showing off your team pride.From $13 at FOCOThere's been some debate over the effectiveness of face masks, though the CDC has come down on the side of advising face coverings when leaving the home, be they homemade or store-bought. It's not all that easy to find face coverings in stores these days with many selling out as soon as stock arrives, and it can be hard to make your own face mask. FOCO's options are available to order now meaning you can skip that process altogether.With teams from the NFL, NBA, NHL,...

Whether you're new to working from home or you have been at it for some time, there are moments when you need to be uninterrupted. A simple way to do this is by setting up a color-changing smart light with a switch of some sort. Put it around your office door, in a hall on the way to your office, or in a common space where your family or roommates will see it. By doing this it'll be clear when you can be bothered or when you need to be left alone.Products used in this guideSimply smart: Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus ($80 at Best Buy)Centrally located: Philip Hue Smart Bridge ($60 at Best Buy)Switch it up: Philips Hue Tap Remote Switch ($50 at Best Buy)How to set up a Philips Hue Smart Bridge and bulbPlug or screw in your light to a power source.Plug in your Philips Hue Bridge to power and Ethernet. Then wait for the three blue lights to be solid.Download the Philips Hue app from your phone's app store.After the app downloads, open it and set up an account.Tap the set ...

Today is the day to upgrade your locks! The August Smart Lock Pro with Connect Wi-Fi Bridge is on sale for just $179.99 via Woot today only. The Pro normally sells for around $200 and sometimes goes as high as $280, which is the price you'll find it going for at other retailers like Best Buy. The discount applies to both the silver and dark gray colors, though the deal ends tonight or when sold out.The August Smart Lock Pro is a fantastic smart lock that is near the top of most smart lock lists, including our own, thanks to its ease of use, advanced functionality, and more. One really great aspect of this lock is that it doesn't require a complicated install. It sits on top of your current single deadbolt, and you can even still use the keys you have now after it's installed. The whole thing takes 10 minutes and a screwdriver.Once installed, you'll be able to download the August app on your smartphone and monitor all sorts of things about the lock. Check on your door and make sur...

The last six weeks have not been easy for people who, like me, were used to working in silence. Since mid-March, I've been home with my wife and 20-month-old daughter trying to eke out a few hours of uninterrupted work a day, and the truth is that it's not easy. I know this, you know this.That's why noise-cancelling headphones, a category of product I used to wear mainly out of the house, have become my secret weapon for fighting distraction. And Sennheiser, a company that is known better for its fidelity than its technology, has risen to the occasion.Before the pandemic, I was reviewing the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless headphones; now I'm using them, and the distinction is important. They went from being a product I'm evaluating to a tool I'm counting on to get work done (yes, I have other options, but indulge me this point). And that means connecting them to phones and laptops alike, wearing them sometimes for eight to 10 hours at a time, and treating them with perhaps less c...

Samsung's phones are powerful, but no phone is going to perfectly perform in all situations. As your Samsung phone starts to get old, a couple years in with new features and apps, you may start to see slowdowns. If your Galaxy S or Galaxy Note is slowing down from time to time, there are lots of things you can do to fix it — here are our top tips.Restarting is the first stepSometimes we get so focused on trying to fix a slowdown that we forget about the most basic thing ever: restarting the phone. Yes, it stinks to hear "did you turn it off and back on again?" when you feel like you've already tried things, but this is something you have to do as the first step of your performance issue troubleshooting.Software and apps are supposed to behave themselves, but sometimes they don't — and a simple restart is all it takes. Alternatively, even if you have to continue looking at different ways to fix your problem, restarting and getting a cleaner slate to start with is very imp...

It, however, isn't exactly all new.What you need to knowXiaomi's Redmi sub-brand has launched the first phone to feature Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 768G chipset.Aside from the Snapdragon 768G and a new color option, the Redmi K30 5G Racing Edition is identical to the standard Redmi K30. It will be going on sale in China starting May 14 for 1,999 yuan ($282).Earlier today, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 768G chipset, which is essentially an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 765G that it launched in December last year. The first phone to be powered by the Snapdragon 768G chipset is the new Redmi K30 5G Racing Edition.The latest Redmi K30 series phone is identical to the standard K30 that the brand had introduced late last year. Unsurprisingly, the most significant difference is the presence of the newer Snapdragon 768G chipset, which has a higher 2.8GHz CPU clock speed and a 15% faster Adreno 620 GPU. While there are no other changes under the hood, the Redmi K30 5...

True wireless earbuds are the future, and that future is surprisingly affordable. Gone are the days of having to spend $200 and up for a reliable set of Bluetooth buds. With this deal on the JBL Free X true wireless earphones, you only need to spend $55. That's thanks to a one-day DealZone sale that is offering an instant savings of 63% compared to the earbuds' $150 MSRP. When not selling for their full retail price, these earbuds rarely drop below $100 so this is a significant savings no matter which way you look at it. The deal ends tonight or when sold out, though.The JBL Free X offer 4.5 hours of playback per charge, and the compact carrying case can provide an additional 20 hours of usage time. One neat feature is the ability to fast-charge the earbuds — a 15-minute charge can provide the Free X earbuds with up to an hour of battery life. You can use one headphone at a time with auto-switching between mono and stereo modes and the built-in mics allow you to use them to make ...

What you need to knowPopular email app Newton is back. Again.It previously died and then was picked up by Essential. Before Essential closed.Now it's back, and its future looks much brighter.The most phoenix-y phoenix ever.Newton is an email app that has been around for years. Previously called CloudMagic it was one of the first email apps that snoozed emails and integrated heavily with services and other apps. Then it went through two closures, the most recent after Essential went under. But now it's back, and things look pretty promising.The app's revival was announced via Medium post with users Maitrik Kataria and Justin Mitchell picking it up from Essential. And the pair have big plans. Our plan to make Newton successful — A contingency plan to keep Newton going forever Building a stable and steady independent business Add "service" in the SaaS (software as a service) business Add features that increase the lifetime value Better security and priv...

Did all this stuff work? Am I rooted? Here's how to tell.So you just went through a bunch of instructions you didn't fully understand, or downloaded some program to your computer and let it run, and your phone is supposed to be rooted. (And yes, naysayers, this is more common than you think — not everyone lives and breathes this stuff.) How can you be sure it worked?Because the people who make our phones (most of them, anyway) don't want us to be able to root them it's not as easy as installing an app from Google Play, and sometimes it doesn't work out like it should. You'll need to verify that it worked — and is working properly — before you use root to do whatever it is you wanted to do with it. Thankfully, that's pretty easy to do.If you used a "systemless root" method and everything finished without an error, you're rooted for all intents and purposes. Install a root checker app from Google Play. Open it and follow the instructions, and it will tell you if you...

Realme has already rolled out the Android 10 update to most devices in its extensive portfolio.Realme rolled out its first phone two years ago, and in that short time the brand managed to carve out a sizeable niche for itself in India. Realme consistently undercut Xiaomi in the entry-level and budget segments, allowing it to build momentum in a matter of months.Realme formed as a sub-brand of OPPO, and as such its phones featured ColorOS out of the box. But the brand broke away into a standalone entity last year, and it switched to its own skin with a cleaner design, dubbed Realme UI. Realme has already updated a lot of its devices from ColorOS to Realme UI based on Android 10, with a few scheduled to receive the update later in Q2 and Q3 2020.Realme UI leverages ColorOS, but the visual elements have been overhauled, making it look much more modern. It is likely we'll see wholesale changes down the line as Realme diversifies its skin further from ColorOS. The skin is clearly ai...

Both phones pack massive 5,000mAh batteries.What you need to knowRealme's Narzo smartphone series is now official.The Narzo 10 and Narzo 10A are the first phones to launch under the new youth-centric series.The Narzo 10 will go on sale in the country starting May 18.Realme has finally taken the wraps off its new youth-centric Narzo series of budget smartphones. The company had originally planned to launch the Narzo series in India on March 26, but had to defer the launch twice due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.The first Narzo series smartphones are called the Narzo 10 and Narzo 10A. While the former is a rebadged version of the Realme 6i, the latter is based on the triple-camera version of the Realme C3. The Narzo 10 sports a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a 20:9 aspect ratio and a waterdrop notch housing a 16MP selfie camera. It is powered by MediaTek's 12nm Helio G80 chipset, paired with 4GB RAM and 128GB of expandable storage.The budget phone comes with a qua...

And the U.S. still doesn't have a phone with the 765.What you need to knowQualcomm has announced the Snapdragon 768 — a successor to the 765.The 768 has a faster CPU and GPU, along with support for 5G connectivity.Xiaomi's Redmi K30 5G Racing Edition is the first phone to get the new chip.One of the most talked-about processors in the Android space right now isn't Qualcomm's most powerful 865 — it's the lower-end 765. The Snapdragon 765 delivers flagship performance and 5G connectivity at a lower price than its more expensive sibling, and while we've yet to have a phone launch in the U.S. with the fascinating chipset, it already has a successor.On May 10, Qualcomm officially unveiled its new Snapdragon 768 — building upon what makes the 765 so interesting and making it even better.The two big talking points about the 768 are that it's more capable from a processing and graphical standpoint. The Kyro 475 CPU Prime now has a clock speed up to 2.8Ghz, which is an imp...

Heads up! We share savvy shopping and personal finance tips to put extra cash in your wallet. Android Central may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network. Please note that the offers mentioned below are subject to change at any time and some may no longer be available.The travel industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. Thousands of aircraft are parked due to the low passenger loads, and hotel occupancy in the U.S. and abroad has plunged to historic levels. This has left airlines and hotel groups scrambling to find new income streams in order to secure fast cash. One of these is selling airline miles and hotel points with a discount or bonus — this gives the airline an immediate cash injection as travelers are essentially prepaying for future travel at a discount.There are several good buy-miles deals going on right now; for example, IHG is selling IHG Rewards points at 0.5 cents per point and Air Canada is selling Aeroplan miles with a bonus for ...

Marton Barcza is here to talk about his new app, Crrowd. It's a community for crowd-sourced tech reviews and questions you might have about a gadget. He also chats with Daniel and Jerry about the best selling Android phones and why they aren't necessarily the ones that get the most press coverage.They discuss what it will take for MediaTek to rise up as a true competitor to Qualcomm, a delay of the next Android 11 public beta, and the viability of LG's Velvet smartphone.Listen nowSubscribe in Pocket Casts: AudioSubscribe in Spotify: AudioSubscribe in iTunes: Audio Subscribe in RSS: AudioDownload directly: AudioLinks:crrowd.comTechAltar - YouTubeRedmi Note 8 was the best-selling Android smartphone in Q1 2020 | Android CentralThe Android 11 public beta is being delayed until June 3 | Android CentralGoogle is finally doing something about its incoherent messaging strategy | Android CentralLG Velvet is now official with Snapdragon 765 SoC, 48MP triple-camera set...

Many homeowners are moving to a more hands-on security setup because excellent products that are easy to set up are readily available. Just mount it, plug it in, and your home is good to go. We think the Ring Alarm Home Security System is the best you can buy because of its great features, amazing Amazon Alexa integration, and easy setup, but there are plenty of others that might fit your needs. Here are some smart home systems that can get you started.Best for Alexa: Ring Alarm Home Security (2nd Gen)This five-piece Ring Alarm security system comes with a base station, contact sensor, motion detector, keypad, and range extender. You can control it all from one central location — your phone. If you have an Alexa-enabled device, that's even better. You'll be able to do it solely through your voice and check your system through any Alexa device.The tight integration with Alexa is because Amazon owns the brand, but the Ring app for your phone also works well for those who aren...

Best answer: Most people will be best off with the Pixel 3a XL purely based on its larger screen and longer battery life. The standard Pixel 3a is compelling as a compact phone, but it may feel cramped for many people and its battery life is questionable — you can get so much more for about $20 extra in the Pixel 3a XL.Our pick: Google Pixel 3a XL ($380 at Amazon)Compact pick: Google Pixel 3a ($360 at Amazon)What's the difference between the Pixel 3a and 3a XL? Just like the original Pixel 3 and 3 XL, there isn't much that differentiates the two mid-range Pixel 3a models other than size — but that is, of course, a difference that requires some thought when choosing which one you should buy. Both the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are built with the same materials and design touches and operate on the same platform internally with the same specs and capabilities. There are just a few different line items that are different to align with the differences in size. Category...

There are plenty of incredibly cool smartphones on the market right now. From the latest and greatest iPhone to a series of Samsung and LG models that make it easy to keep in touch and watch shows on the go, there's certainly no lack of options when it comes to selecting a smartphone that's right for you.The only problem is that the average lifespan of a smartphone in today's world is a mere two years—meaning that countless phones are tossed in the garbage or abandoned in order to make way for the latest and flashiest model that offers at best a handful of new features that you don't really need.Enter the Teracube Smartphone. As the world's most eco-friendly smartphone, this powerful all-in-one sidekick comes with an all-day battery, gorilla glass screen, octa-core processor, and tons of storage space—along with a 4-year warranty that ensures it will be able to stand the test of time.Featured in leading tech publications including Engadget, Digital Trends and Tech Radar, the T...

Happy Mother's Day! It's a bit different this year, of course, but I hope you get a chance to honor, if possible, the person who brought you into this world, and if you have one, the partner who's helping you get through it.I wanted to write this week's column about how connecting with family during the pandemic has been fraught and confusing but ultimately rewarding as we all learn to grapple with the dysfunction of platform dependency and standards fragmentation. But that's not really interesting — we've all settled on Zoom, for better or worse, and I've managed to convince many of my friends to use Duo, which is a pretty good product.But the truly mindblowing news this week was Google's admission that its flailing messaging strategy needs a complete overhaul, starting with a consolidation of products under one team, led by the man, Javier Soltero, who built Outlook Mobile over at Microsoft. While Google isn't actually going to create a single messaging service for consumers ...

While you might not initially think that you need voice control in the kitchen, it can be a game-changer. Your hands are probably dirty while you're in the kitchen cooking up a storm, or, you're busy multitasking as you prepare a meal. Imagine still being able to adjust songs on your playlist, pause a recipe video you're following to grab the ingredient you need or find out how many ounces are in a gram without having to tap the screen on your phone. There are plenty of products you can use in the kitchen that come with Google Assistant built-in. Here are some great ones to consider.Your guiding chefGoogle Nest Hub Smart DisplayStaff pickImagine having your own assistant in the kitchen. While this smart display can't stir sauce or chop veggies, it can playback cooking videos for you to follow along with, let you add items to a shopping list, play music, do measurement conversions, set timers, and more, and it's all controllable with your voice.$80 at Best Buy$79 at Walma...

Did you know that a free VPN could be the best one for you? By now you've likely heard the phrase Virtual Private Network or VPN, but you may not have already signed up and started using one. A great VPN service can add an extra layer of security to your phone, tablet, PC, and even gaming console. They've become increasingly popular over the past few years, and for good reason.Best Free VPNsHotspot Shield: Our top pickProtonVPN: Unlimited bandwithTunnelBear: User friendlyWindscribe: Earn extra free dataHide.me: No data logs at allSpeedify: Did we mention fast?SurfEasy: Built in to OperaIt's hard to live these days without entering some type of sensitive data online. Be it your banking details, passwords, social security number, or just a home address, you probably don't realize how much personal data you use online daily. Unfortunately public Wi-Fi confections, like the ones at airports, Starbucks, etc are not protected, and someone with bad intentions could spy on or...

While the flagship Android tablet market is sparse, the same can't be said for the budget market as there are quite a few great choices. When it comes getting a great value, you can't do much better than the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1, especially if you are a fan of Samsung's products or its design language.Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1Not everyone needs to pay flagship prices for a tablet with a flagship-like design, and that's what you get the Tab A 10.1. This tablet sports a sleek and slim design that looks good while being light enough to not tire you out if you hold or carry it for a while.When it's time to throw a movie or YouTube video on, you'll get (close to) room-filling sound with the dual-Dolby Atmos rated speakers. The expandable storage means that you can fill this tablet up with your favorite content, perfect for when there's no Wi-Fi. Plus, with up to 13 hours of battery life, the Tab A 10.1 will just keep chugging along throughout the day.Unfortuna...

With a stand-out performance from Avengers star Mark Ruffalo that sees him play dual roles, I Know This Much Is True looks set to be one of the most talked about new shows during lockdown - read on to find out how to watch the miniseries online from anywhere in the world.Adapted from Wally Lamb's best-selling novel and directed by A Place Beyond the Pines' Derek Cianfranc, the unflinching drama sees Ruffalo play both Dominick Birdsey as well as his identical twin Thomas.Construction worker Dominick is struggling to take care of his unpredictable brother - a paranoid schizophrenic whose behaviour has become increasingly dangerous,With Dominick also trying to manage his mother's failing health, the weight of the pressure plunges his own life into crisis.Starring alongside Ruffalo Ruffalo, are Oscar-winner Melissa Leo, Rosie O'Donnell, Archie Panjabi, Juliette Lewis, Kathryn Hahn and Imogen Poots.Read on for full details on how to stream I Know This Much Is True no matter where ...

Best answer: No, Mint Mobile doesn't offer 5G support in its plans. Some users, however, are reporting 5G connectivity with T-Mobile 5G compatible phones and Mint Mobile is selling 5G capable phones on its site.LTE service on T-Mobile's network: Mint Mobile (From $15 per month at Mint Mobile)T-Mobile 5G service: Google Fi (From $20 per month at Google Fi)5G capable and available unlocked: Samsung Galaxy S20 ($1000 at Best Buy)Thank the T-Mobile networkMint Mobile is based on the T-Mobile network and currently uses the full LTE network for its phones. While many T-Mobile based MVNOs have started to offer 5G connectivity to customers with compatible phones on the nationwide 600MHz 5G network (Google Fi is an MVNO that uses T-Mobile's network and has already begun to enable 5G on compatible phones), Mint Mobile has yet to make that commitment.There is no doubt that Mint Mobile will eventually support 5G, especially given T-Mobile's continued development of its next-generatio...

The Harman/Kardon Citation One smart speaker is going for $99.99 at Best Buy. You can get this deal in black or gray, so grab the one that best blends with your decor. The smart speaker sells for as much as $230 at Best Buy, and the next best price is around $150 at B&H. This is a great price for a speaker that has rarely dropped anywhere near this price before. The savings are a part of Best Buy's deals of the day, so grab it before the price disappears.Smart functions and all that are great, but you need to know if your speaker lives up to its name as a speaker, right? Well the Citation One has a 0.79-inch tweeter and a 3.5-inch woofer with 40 watts of power for great, well-balanced sound. It also supports multiple audio formats, including FLAC and WAV for high-resolution audio. You'll be able to fill a decent-sized room with sound, and these speakers are capable of a multi-room setup so you can set your whole house thumping by playing music everywhere.Beyond great sound, y...

Still stuck at home, doing your thing remotely? Doing your best to avoid contact with others? Chances are you're probably doing a lot more food delivery, and chances are those delivery fees are costing you. Well, save a little money today thanks to Best Buy's Deals of the Day, which features a $50 DoorDash gift code on sale for only $40. Spend that extra $10 on some more breadsticks or a soda or something. Best Buy doesn't usually do deals like this. In fact, the last time we saw a DoorDash discount it was on eBay and it was only 10% off compared to today's 20% off.This is a gift code, not a gift card. You don't get anything physical for this purchase, but on the other hand you also get to benefit from it immediately. Redeem the code pretty much as soon as you buy it and you'll get $50 in your DoorDash account. You can also send the code to someone else as a gift. Maybe Mom could use some food delivery on Mother's Day.If you've never used DoorDash before, it's just a way to order...

Google Meet is great, but Zoom has a few key advantages.Video conferencing apps have been an essential tool for a lot of companies for a while, but thanks to recent global events, they've exploded in popularity like never before.There are numerous apps out there that you can use for video calling, two of the most popular being Zoom and Google Meet. These are apps focused on enterprise/business use, and each one has its own set of pros and cons.We want to take a closer look at one of those apps, specifically, Zoom. Zoom has undoubtedly become the most talked-about app in this niche, with companies all over the world turning towards it as their digital meeting place of choice.What makes Zoom so great? The service certainly isn't perfect, but depending on where your needs lie, there are a lot of key advantages it has that make it so appealing. Here are six of our favorites.Up to 500 people per callHands-down, one of the biggest reasons to use Zoom is if you have a lot of p...

Keeping the kids entertained while schools are closed and the world focuses on social distancing hasn't been easy. Luckily, the Disney Family Singalong returns this weekend with a whole new slate of stars and performances for little ones to look forward to, along with host Ryan Seacrest.The first Disney Family Singalong aired on April 16 and featured stars like Ariana Grande, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Demi Lovato, and Christina Aguilera singing covers of classic and modern Disney tunes, from The Lion King's "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" to Frozen's "Let It Go". Volume II comes just three weeks later and is scheduled to feature performances by Halsey, Shakira, Idina Menzel, Miguel, Keke Palmer, and Donald Glover, among others.The Disney Family Singalong: When & whereThe second Disney Family Singalong premieres on Mother's Day this weekend. Join host Ryan Seacrest at 7p.m. EST this Sunday, May 10 on ABC as the next batch of stars sing their renditions of beloved Disney ...

After being delayed back in April due to the coronavirus, UFC 249 is back on and we have all the details on how you can watch the highly anticipated event online or on TV in the U.S., Canada, UK and Australia.UFC 249 was originally scheduled to take place in Brooklyn, New York but the UFC had to relocate the event to the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. However, while the event is back on, there won't be any fans in attendance for Saturday's fights for safety reasons.The venue may have changed and fans won't be crowded around the octagon but many of the fights originally scheduled for UFC 249 will be included on the new card. The biggest change though is that Tony Ferguson will now be taking on Justin Gaethje in the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship as Khabib Nurmagomedov is unable to leave his home country of Russia due to its coronavirus travel restrictions.Ferguson is known for his incredible cardio and pressure while Gaethje's kill or be killed me...

Sling TV has been offering one of its best deals in history over the past month. Its 'Happy Hour Across America' promotion gives everyone free access to the service between the hours of 5 p.m. and midnight EST every single day, and there's no credit card or billing information required when you sign up. Just simply enter your name, email, and zip code, and start streaming.With Sling's Happy Hour promotion, you gain access to all of the features of the Sling Blue plan, normally priced at $30 per month. That includes over 45 live TV channels, full TV show seasons and movies on-demand, and even cloud DVR access, and since you don't have to enter any billing info when signing up, there's no risk of being charged whatsoever.It's been nearly a month since the Happy Hour event started, and Sling just announced that May 15 will mark the end of the promotion. That leaves less than a week to check out the service for free. If you're stumped on what to watch, we've compiled a list of some o...

Amazon Echo and Google Home/Nest smart speakers have crossed over from the early adopter phase to each finding a place within the mainstream culture. Both are functional, but if you're like me, you still might not be convinced which company's voice assistant is right for you. That's why I've got both Alexa and Google Assistant-compatible speakers set up in my home. If you find yourself in the same boat, it may be essential to buy smart home accessories that are compatible with both AI assistants, and these smart plugs are a great place to start.AI-powered energy monitoringCurrant Wifi Smart OutletStaff pickCurrant's WiFi Smart Outlet comes with two individually controllable outlets, but the most crucial part is the ability to build a Bluetooth mesh network of smart plugs. Currant's two-outlet smart plug offers the ability to see detailed breakdowns of your energy usage by the hour, day, month, or year. Additionally, Currant uses artificial intelligence to identify energy us...

It's important to keep a few months of expenses saved up in case of emergency, and having an expensive phone bill doesn't make that easy. That's where Visible comes in. For only $40 per month, Visible customers gain access to Verizon's 4G LTE network along with unlimited data, minutes, and messages. There are no contracts or additional fees to worry about either! You can end the service at any time with no penalties.Now, thanks to a limited time offer, Visible is offering a free 2-piece Nimble Charging Bundle when you purchase any qualifying Google Pixel device and port-in your previous number while signing up for the service. That includes devices like the latest Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4XL, the affordable Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL, and both of the original Google Pixel 3 models. Visible allows you to buy the devices outright or pay for them monthly.The Nible Charging Bundle features Nimble's 5-Day Fast Portable Charger and Wireless Charging Convertible Stand, valued at $...

There's simply never been a better time to work from home. Thanks to the unexpected outbreak of the coronavirus and subsequent quarantine, millions of Americans have been forced to forgo their usual office routines and adapt to an entirely new approach to life—making this the ideal time to turn that business idea into a full-fledged reality.Regardless of whether you're just interested in making a little money on the side as part of a passive income or you're looking to start the next Google or Facebook, the 2020 Ultimate Work From Home Starter Kit Bundle will give you the skills and tools you need in order to get started, and it's available for over 95% off at just $39.99.This 16-course bundle is packed with over 400 lessons that will introduce you to the essentials of everything from freelancing and copywriting to management and team building.You'll learn how to earn both passive and active incomes as a writer in a variety of mediums and genres, how to create captivating copy ...

There's an app for everything — even saving some money every month on your phone bill!Everyone likes to save a little cash when it comes time to pay the monthly cell phone bill. Once you've done all your homework and found the plan that's best for you from the company that offers the best service there are still a few things you can do to make sure you're not spending too much on things you don't need or want. Like everything else, there are apps for that!Here are five apps that can help you trim a little fat from your monthly phone bill. My Data ManagerYou should only be paying for the data you need. While some carriers like Google's Project Fi only bill for the exact amount of data you use each month, most companies don't give credit for data paid for but not used. That means paying for the right amount is pretty important.Ways to monitor how much data you use are probably built into your phone, but the best way to make sure we use any software utility is to make i...

Modern lifestyle watchGarmin Venu$297 at AmazonProsAttractive AMOLED displayPulse Ox sensorBody Battery energy monitorMusic storageGarmin PayConsShorter battery lifeMore expensiveNo advanced running featuresif you consider yourself a smartwatch enthusiast, there are certain features you look for when shopping for a new wearable. Some examples might include a crisp display, mobile payments, music storage, and attractive design. The Garmin Venu has it all and then some.Runner's paradiseGarmin Forerunner 645$238 at AmazonProsLightweight, workout-friendly designCompatible with Garmin Running PowerAdvanced running dynamicsWeek-long battery lifeGarmin PayConsMusic version costs moreLacks Pulse Ox sensorNo AMOLED screenAs a runner, there are just some things you can't live without, like a proper running watch. The Forerunner 645 is overflowing with essential features, like multiple sport modes, advanced running dynamics, and much m...